Knitting this Men’s Sweater Vest is a wonderful way to combine timeless design with the satisfaction of creating something truly personal. This classic vest is perfect for any occasion, from layering over a button-down shirt for a formal look to pairing with a casual tee for everyday wear. With chest measurements ranging from 34 to 46 inches, the pattern provides a versatile fit that flatters a variety of body types. We’ve modernized this vintage pattern to include clear, updated instructions and terms that today’s knitters can easily follow, while maintaining the charm of its original 1950s design.
This sweater vest features a simple yet elegant pattern stitch that adds texture and character without overwhelming the clean lines of the design. The sport-weight yarn keeps the vest lightweight and comfortable, making it a perfect year-round wardrobe addition. Whether you’re an experienced knitter or just beginning your journey, this project is approachable and rewarding, giving you a finished garment that you can wear or gift with pride. We’ve also ensured the pattern reflects inclusive sizing, with an additional version available for extended sizes to suit even more knitters.
Explore the classic Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters, Book No. 291 (1952). Click to view all the vintage sweater patterns in this timeless collection!
About the Images
To help visualize this timeless design, we’ve provided an AI-generated image that represents the finished vest. While the original pattern offered a beautiful artist’s illustration, this modernized image brings the design to life in a way that today’s knitters can appreciate. The AI rendering remains as true to the finished product as possible, offering a colorized and contemporary view of what to expect while knitting. We’ve also included the original illustration for reference, preserving the vintage charm and helping you connect to the pattern’s historical roots.
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters Book No. 291 (1952). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are © Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2025. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Pattern Navigation
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Men’s Sweater Vest Knitting Pattern (Sizes 34–46)
Key Details
- Gauge: 7 stitches = 1 inch; 9 rows = 1 inch.
- Chest Measurements:
- 34″ (36″, 38″, 40″, 42″, 44″, 46″)
- Length from Shoulder to Hem:
- 20″ (20½”, 21½”, 22″, 23″, 23½”, 24½”)
- Width at Underarm:
- 17″ (18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″, 23″)
- Side Seam Length:
- 12″ (12″, 12½”, 12½”, 13″, 13″, 13½”)
Materials
- Yarn: Sport Weight Yarn (#2)
- Yardage: ~5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins of neutral-colored yarn.
- Original Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Sock and Sweater Yarn, 3-Ply (discontinued).
- Knitting Needles:
- Size US 1 (2.25 mm) for ribbing.
- Size US 3 (3.25 mm) for the main pattern.
- Other Tools: Stitch holders, markers, tapestry needle.
Pattern Instructions
Back
- Cast On:
- 116 (124, 132, 140, 144, 152, 160) stitches.
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
- 2½” (2½”, 3″, 3″, 3″, 3″, 3″).
- Increase evenly across the last row:
- +3 (3, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1) stitches.
- Total: 119 (127, 133, 141, 147, 155, 161) stitches.
- Switch to size US 3 needles and begin the pattern stitch:
- Row 1 (RS): K 3 (7, 2, 6, 1, 5, 0), *p1, k7; repeat from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
- Row 3: Knit across.
- Row 4: Purl across.
- Row 5: K 7 (3, 6, 2, 5, 1, 4), *p1, k7; repeat from * to end.
- Rows 6–8: Repeat rows 2–4.
- Repeat these 8 rows for the pattern stitch until the piece measures:
- 12″ (12″, 12½”, 12½”, 13″, 13″, 13½”).
Shape Armholes
- Bind off 7 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Decrease as follows:
- For sizes 38–46: Decrease 1 stitch at each end every other row until:
- 115 (113, 119, 117, 111) stitches remain.
- For all sizes: Decrease 1 stitch at each end every 3rd row until:
- 59 (65, 65, 67, 71, 73, 73) stitches remain.
- Work without shaping until the armholes measure:
- 8″ (8½”, 9″, 9½”, 10″, 10½”, 11″).
Shape Shoulders
- Bind off for shoulders:
- Bind off 6 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8) stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
- Place remaining stitches on a stitch holder for the neckband:
- 35 (37, 37, 39, 39, 41, 41) stitches.
Front
Follow the Back instructions until the armhole shaping begins.
- Bind off stitches for armholes as for the Back.
- Place markers for the pocket (optional, if using):
- Work 15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) stitches, place marker, work 30 stitches, place marker, work to end.
- Shape Neck:
- Divide the stitches at the center and work each side separately.
- Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every 3rd row:
- 16 (17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19) times.
- Continue shaping the armhole and neckline until:
- 12 (14, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16) stitches remain.
- Shape the shoulders as for the Back.
- Work the second side to match.
Neckband
- Sew the left shoulder seam.
- Using size US 1 needles, pick up and knit:
- 35 (37, 37, 39, 39, 41, 41) stitches from the back neck.
- 57 (59, 63, 73, 77, 79, 83) stitches from the left front.
- 1 center stitch.
- 56 (60, 64, 72, 76, 80, 84) stitches from the right front.
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing:
- Decrease 1 stitch before the center stitch and 1 stitch after on every other row.
- Continue until the neckband measures ¾ inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Armbands
- Pick up and knit around the armholes:
- 156 (164, 172, 180, 192, 200, 208) stitches.
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for ¾ inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Finishing
- Block to measurements.
- Sew side seams.
- Weave in ends.
This Men’s Sweater Vest Pattern is a timeless knitting project that is perfect for casual or formal occasions. Its classic design and range of sizes ensure a comfortable fit for anyone. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating a garment that’s both stylish and practical! 😊
Men’s Sweater Vest Knitting Pattern (Extended Sizes 1X–5X)
Key Details
- Gauge: 7 stitches = 1 inch; 9 rows = 1 inch.
Key Measurements
| Size | Chest | Length (Shoulder to Hem) | Width at Underarm | Side Seam Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X | 48″ | 25″ | 24″ | 14″ |
| 2X | 50″ | 25½” | 25″ | 14½” |
| 3X | 52″ | 26″ | 26″ | 15″ |
| 4X | 54″ | 26½” | 27″ | 15½” |
| 5X | 56″ | 27″ | 28″ | 16″ |
Materials
- Yarn: Sport Weight Yarn (#2)
- Yardage: ~8 (8, 9, 10, 11) skeins.
- Knitting Needles:
- Size US 1 (2.25 mm) for ribbing.
- Size US 3 (3.25 mm) for the main pattern.
- Other Tools: Stitch holders, markers, tapestry needle.
Pattern Instructions
Back
- Cast On:
- 1X: 168 stitches
- 2X: 176 stitches
- 3X: 184 stitches
- 4X: 192 stitches
- 5X: 200 stitches
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
- 2½ inches for all sizes.
- Increase evenly across the last row:
- 1X: +2 stitches (total 170)
- 2X: +2 stitches (total 178)
- 3X: +2 stitches (total 186)
- 4X: +2 stitches (total 194)
- 5X: +2 stitches (total 202)
- Switch to size US 3 needles and begin the pattern stitch:
- Row 1 (RS): K 2 (6, 4, 8, 10), *p1, k7; repeat from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
- Row 3: Knit across.
- Row 4: Purl across.
- Row 5: K 6 (2, 8, 4, 2), *p1, k7; repeat from * to end.
- Rows 6–8: Repeat rows 2–4.
- Repeat these 8 rows for the pattern stitch until the piece measures:
- 1X: 14 inches
- 2X: 14½ inches
- 3X: 15 inches
- 4X: 15½ inches
- 5X: 16 inches
Shape Armholes
- Bind off stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows:
- 1X: 8 stitches
- 2X: 8 stitches
- 3X: 9 stitches
- 4X: 9 stitches
- 5X: 10 stitches
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end every other row until:
- 1X: 154 stitches
- 2X: 162 stitches
- 3X: 170 stitches
- 4X: 178 stitches
- 5X: 186 stitches
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end every 3rd row until:
- 1X: 90 stitches
- 2X: 96 stitches
- 3X: 102 stitches
- 4X: 108 stitches
- 5X: 114 stitches
- Work without shaping until the armholes measure:
- 1X: 9½ inches
- 2X: 10 inches
- 3X: 10½ inches
- 4X: 11 inches
- 5X: 11½ inches
Shape Shoulders
- Bind off stitches for shoulders:
- Bind off 10 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows for all sizes.
- Place remaining stitches on a stitch holder for the neckband:
- 1X: 50 stitches
- 2X: 52 stitches
- 3X: 54 stitches
- 4X: 56 stitches
- 5X: 58 stitches
Front
Follow the Back instructions until the armhole shaping begins.
- Bind off stitches for armholes as for the Back.
- Begin shaping the neck when the armhole measures:
- 1X: 3 inches
- 2X: 3½ inches
- 3X: 4 inches
- 4X: 4½ inches
- 5X: 5 inches
- Shape Neck:
- Divide the stitches at the center and work each side separately.
- Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every 3rd row:
- 1X: 18 times
- 2X: 18 times
- 3X: 19 times
- 4X: 19 times
- 5X: 20 times
- Continue shaping the armhole and neckline until:
- 1X: 12 stitches remain on each shoulder.
- 2X: 12 stitches remain on each shoulder.
- 3X: 13 stitches remain on each shoulder.
- 4X: 13 stitches remain on each shoulder.
- 5X: 14 stitches remain on each shoulder.
- Shape the shoulders as for the Back.
Neckband
- Sew the left shoulder seam.
- Using size US 1 needles, pick up and knit:
- 1X: 164 stitches
- 2X: 172 stitches
- 3X: 180 stitches
- 4X: 188 stitches
- 5X: 196 stitches
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing, decreasing 2 stitches evenly on every other row at the center.
- Continue until the neckband measures ¾ inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Armbands
- Pick up and knit around the armholes:
- 1X: 172 stitches
- 2X: 180 stitches
- 3X: 188 stitches
- 4X: 196 stitches
- 5X: 204 stitches
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for ¾ inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Finishing
- Block to measurements.
- Sew side seams.
- Weave in ends.
This Men’s Extended Sizes Sweater Vest is thoughtfully designed for a flattering and comfortable fit in extended sizes. Its timeless design ensures it complements both casual and formal looks. Happy knitting! 😊
